1- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Education and Psychology, University of Sistan and Baluchestan, Zahedan, Iran. 2- Organization of Education, Zehak, Iran.

Abstract: (1551 Views)

Objectives: The birth and presence of an exceptional child in a family can be considered as an undesirable challenging event. This event may be associated with stress, frustration, sadness, and despair. This study aimed to examine the relationship of religious coping styles with general health and psychological well-being among mothers of mentally disabled children.Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in the mothers (n=68) whose mentally disabled children were enrolled in spacial schools in Zabol in the academic year 2012-2013. A study population was selected and homogenized through applying a convenience sampling method. Aflakseir and Coleman Religious Coping Scale, Keyes and Magyar Subjective Well-Being Questionnaire, and Goldberg and Hillier General Health Questionnaire were used to collect data. Data analyses were performed by applying a Pearson correlation coefficient and a stepwise regression analysis.Results: This study revealed that negative feelings towards God and passive religious coping were related to subscales of general health among the mothers of mentally disabled children. The stepwise regression analysis demonstrated the most significant role of negative feelings towards God in predicting general health among the mothers of mentally disabled children. Moreover, none of the subscales of religious coping were able to predict the mothers’ psychological well-being. Discussion: The results of the current study suggest that the religious coping styles affect the general health among the mothers of mentally disabled children. This study also indicated that paying attention to the type of religious coping used by these mothers is essential.

3. Khamis V. Psychological distress among parents of children with mental retardation in the United Arab Emirates. Social Science & Medicine. 2007; 64(4):850–7. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2006.10.022 [DOI:10.1016/j.socscimed.2006.10.022]

8. Emerson E. Mothers of children and adolescents with intellectual disability: social and economic situation, mental health status, and the self-assessed social and psychological impact of the child's difficulties . Journal of Intellectual Disability Research. 2003; 47(4):385-99. doi: 10.1046/j.1365-2788.2003.00498.x [DOI:10.1046/j.1365-2788.2003.00498.x]

17. Abbotts JE, Williams RG., Sweeting HN, West PB. Is going to church good or bad for you? Denomination, attendance and mental health of children in West Scotland. Social Science & Medicine. 2004; 58(3):645–56. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/s0277-9536(03)00283-1 [DOI:10.1016/S0277-9536(03)00283-1]

35. Sadri Damirchi E, Mohammadi N, Fayazi M, Afsar E. [Examining the relationship of psychological well-being with religious orientation and forgiveness among students at the University of Mohaghegh Ardabili (Persian)]. Journal of Research on Religion & Health. 2017; 3(2):20- 30.

45. Abbotts JE, Williams RG, Sweeting HN, West PB. Is going to church good or bad for you? Denomination, attendance and mental health of children in West Scotland. Social Science & Medicine. 2004; 58(3):645–56. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/s0277-9536(03)00283-1 [DOI:10.1016/S0277-9536(03)00283-1]